“In Summer” by Lord Alfred Douglas

Lord Alfred “Bosie” Douglas was an English writer, born in Powick, Worcestershire, in 1870. Today often mentioned in connection with his stormy love affair with Oscar Wilde, his biography reads like an exciting novel, filled with unexpected twists and turns – from a religious conversion to controversial political activities, and everything in between. His poetry itself, however, has been long neglected.

In this post we’ll have a look at his poem titled “In Summer”, considered one of his works with obvious Wildean influences. It’s a relatively short and very sensual poem celebrating the joy and excitement of a summer romance. There’s a strong physical aspect of love and passion, mirroring the fleeting nature of summer – but there’s also an intimation of something more enduring.

If you’re an English language learner, don’t miss the simple vocabulary exercise found below the poem (answer key available).

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There were the black pine trees, 
        And the sullen hills 
        Frowning; there were trills 
        Of birds, and the sweet hot sun, 
        And little rills 
        Of water, everyone 
Singing and prattling; there were bees

Honey-laden, tuneful, a song
        Far-off, and a timid air 
        That sighed and kissed my hair, 
        My hair that the hot sun loves. 
        The day was very fair, 
        There was wooing of doves, 
And the shadows were not yet long. 

And I lay on the soft green grass, 
        And the smell of the earth was sweet,
        And I dipped my feet 
        In the little stream;
        And was cool as a flower is cool in the heat, 
        And the day lay still in a dream, 
And the hours forgot to pass. 

And you came, my love, so stealthily 
        That I saw you not 
        Till I felt that your arms were hot 
        Round my neck, and my lips were wet
        With your lips, I had forgot  
        How sweet you were. And lo! the sun has set, 
And the pale moon came up silently. 

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VOCABULARY EXERCISE

Find the words in the poem with the following meaning: 

• musical, melodious
• short and high-pitched, repeated notes
• quietly and carefully 
• gloomy, depressed, bad-tempered
• a small stream
• fine, beautiful
• talking in a silly way
• easily frightened, shy and nervous

To check your answers, click here.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

The Unofficial Website of Lord Alfred ‘Bosie’ Douglas

The poet that time forgot

Was Bosie Douglas the worst boyfriend ever?

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NOTES

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COVER IMAGE CREDIT

Cortney Chummoungpak via Unsplash